Pak-Korea trade be increased: Shahbaz

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Korea have deep-rooted friendly relations and there is a need to promote trade and economic ties between the two countries. He said that volume of trade between Korea and Pakistan should be increased and exchange of trade delegations can play an important role in promoting economic ties between the two countries. He was talking to the Ambassador of Korea in Pakistan Song Jong-hwan who met him here on Friday. Matters of mutual interest and promotion of bilateral relations were discussed in the meeting and it was agreed to promote economic and trade ties between the two countries. The CM said that Korea has made rapid progress in a very short period of time and Pakistan wants to benefit from its experience and expertise. He said that Korea has followed the development programme of Pakistan and its volume of trade with different countries has exceeded $1 trillion. He said that tremendous development of Korea is a role model for the world and Pakistan also wants to strengthen its economic and trade relations with Korea. Shahbaz Sharif said that cooperation of Korea in energy, infrastructure and other sectors will be welcomed. He offered Korean companies to invest in energy, infrastructure and other sectors and assured that all out facilities and incentives will be offered. He said that Korean companies can also make investment in hydel and coal power plants as there are vast opportunities of investment in these sectors. Korean Ambassador said that his country wants to promote trade and economic ties with Pakistan. He said that the volume of trade between the two countries should be further increased. He said that Korean companies want to make investment in Pakistan especially in Punjab.